The highlight of the year is almost here. We are sure to sell out early as we have done in previous years and will not be able to take any rsvp’s after 3/1/18. We hope you will join us and bring your friends and family.

This is such a fun event to work on we welcome any members who would like to be a part of this committee. We welcome all types of help. If you’re interested, call Rhonda Daniels at 415-302-4614 to discuss the many small short term jobs available; CLICK HERE to email Rhonda.

Chai Mitzvah: a 6-part series of text-based Jewish learning that will sharpen your mind and enrich your soul. Get to know other Women of Rodef Sholom in deeper and more meaningful ways. This curriculum is meant to lead us to perform acts of loving kindness.

Claire Mikowski, Jewish Educator extraordinaire, is the leader and we are so fortunate to have her. Take advantage of this fabulous learning/growing opportunity.

A few weeks ago, we put out a call to participate in this year’s Hamilton-themed Purim Schpiel. Who would have thought that 25 Rodef Sholom congregants ranging in ages from 7 to 70-years old would come out to participate?? When we gathered on that first evening, I posed an opening question: Why did you come here tonight?

The answers varied from, “I LOVE Hamilton!” and “I love Purim at Rodef Sholom and Hamilton and you’re saying that I could do both together??” to “In this new year, I resolved to have more fun, and this is a great way to do that,” and “Last year was great so why not?”

It’s true – Purim is a holiday of joy and celebration, and an opportunity to come together, to sing, to dance the night away, and to join together as a community. We laugh, we dress up, and we sometimes push ourselves past our comfort zones to tell the Story of Esther. Whether it’s the masks we wear or the costumes we put on, there is something about those changes we make that empower us to something we might not be every other day.

And perhaps it is up to us during this time at which we might turn outward to celebrate with others, to really take a moment to turn inward and look at ourselves. How can we empower ourselves, not only by putting on masks and adorning lavish costumes, but also when we are simply ourselves? What does it take for each of us to feel like we can make a difference by being who we are, not as something we are pretending to be?

I am so looking forward to celebrating Purim with all of you on Wednesday evening February 28th. Let’s all resolve to have more fun, to join together in song, in dance, in joy and laughter, and in all that Purim allows us to be on a night that is different from all others.

The Women’s March on January 20th was joyous! It was so exciting marching with thousands of people. We are so fortunate to live in a country where we have the opportunity to gather and express our views. There were children carrying signs saying “let’s make America KIND again.” People brought their dogs. Babies were in push strollers.

We felt empowered knowing we have the ability to vote. We have different opinions, views, ideas, political affiliations, but we ALL get to vote. We can be heard. In the midst of turmoil, government shutdown, divisiveness, I’m remembering Sylvia Boorstein’s words about how to find balance. Gratitude!

Feed your Jewish soul
Come shop with us – and support WRS at the same time!

We are located in the lobby of the Osher Marin JCC

Call for Service:This Gift Shop is in need of volunteers. We all want the Gift Shop to be open as much as possible for our convenience. Did you know that it is staffed entirely by volunteers? Do you have 3 hours to give to this valuable service?
Please contact Ingrid Tolson

2018 Weekend Retreat

The Women of Rodef Sholom invite you to join us for our 2018 weekend Retreat. Enjoy gourmet meals, Shabbat services, workshops, outdoor activities, music, and create new friendships in the beautiful setting of Westerbeke Ranch.

Participation in this event is for WRS members only. This year we are limited to a total of 21 guests staying overnight. Therefore, if you must cancel your reservation, your fee will be refunded only if we can fill your space from our waiting list (less $50 non-refundable deposit).

WRS Membership (if not already paid) $54

Use the form below to RSVP or to ask questions

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Payment

You may pay by credit card using the link below. If you wish to pay by check, mail your check (payable to Women of Rodef Sholom) to 170 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael 94903. Please note on the check and on the envelope ‘retreat 2017’.

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2016 Women’s Retreat

A reflection of a beautiful Shabbat written for the Women of Rodef Sholom sisterhood at our annual retreat, read by the author to her sisters by the fireside.

Here, it is Good

by D.L. Lang

Far away from the city now,
reconnecting to our souls and how!
Wandering this rainbow floral wonderland
as wind chimes ring a calming song
beneath prayer flags
whose messages of peace do freely wave
in multilingual unity—
a clue to how the world should be.

Here, it is good.
We stand together as women
before God,
barefoot in the sanctuary,
singing with our hearts out,
connecting to the energy and serenity of love.

The mealtime bells do ring along,
as we embrace in holy sing-a-longs.
Nights of singing Jewish, folk,
and country songs,
gathered cross-legged
in a round barn.

The birds are giving
concerts of their own
as sisters sing
with angelic voices, echoing
into the heavens.

Like each bird with our unique notes to bring,
gathered here to pray and sing
for peace and goodness
as we pause from travelling
the labyrinths of our lives
as loving daughters, mothers, sisters, and wives.

Sitting by the fire pit,
reveling in the simple joy of it.
The sweet smell of smoke rises in the air
like the hopes and dreams that we all share.
United as sisters we all will stay,
trying to be holy
in these fleeting days,
admiring those who came before us
and ignited the way.

On this ranch we adore the food,
but what tastes so sweet as sisterhood?

Mother’s Day Gift Fair at Venetia Valley Family Center

The Women of Rodef Sholom organized their third annual Mother’s Day Gift Fair at the Venetia Valley Family Center (at Venetia Valley School). Jewelry and scarves were donated by CRS members for last year’s annual Jewelry Sale (also to benefit Venetia Valley School). Not everything was sold last year, so the best items were displayed at a ’boutique’ set up by WRS members and mothers from Venetia Valley School on May 4. First grade teachers brought their students to the sale to make gift selections for their mothers which were then wrapped to take home on May 6.

This program earned WRS the Gold Or Ami award from the Women of Reform Judaism in November of 2015.